30 tons of grapes, one solar farm: Israel’s record harvest

Farmers from Kibbutz Ma’ale Gilboa, students, and employees of Doral, a renewable-energy company, achieved a record 30-ton grape harvest last week on Mount Gilboa, Israel. This agrivoltaic project involved growing grapes directly beneath solar panels, demonstrating a dual-purpose land use. The solar panels generate electricity while providing shade, protecting the vines from extreme heat and fostering fruit development. Ofer Stavay, CEO of Doral Israel, stated, “This first harvest of grapes grown beneath solar systems is the moment when that vision became reality.” The Ma’ale Gilboa site serves as a research and development center for combining land, food production, and energy generation, with future plans for other crops. Dubi Miller, chairman of Kibbutz Ma’ale Gilboa’s energy operations, highlighted the project's potential to secure the future of Israeli farming by integrating agriculture with renewable energy and advanced technologies.